Facebook to increase IPO by 25% (rumor)

Facebook wants to increase its initial public offering (IPO) size to some 422 million shares, according to a recent rumor. Facebook would thus raise a total of between $14.35 billion and $16.04 billion.

Facebook today increased its initial public offering (IPO) price range from $28-$35 to $34-$38 per share, and offered 50.6 million more shares. The social networking giant is looking to increase the number of shares it is offering once again, bringing the total to 25 percent higher than it what it originally announced, according to someone familiar with the matter cited by CNBC.

Previously, given the sale of some 337.4 million shares, the price range meant Facebook could raise between $5.04 billion and $6.30 billion for itself, as well as between $4.41 billion and $5.51 billion for its investors. Now, given the sale of 388.0 million shares, the new price range means Facebook could raise anywhere between $13.19 billion and 14.75 billion.

On Wednesday, if Facebook amends its IPO an eighth time, it will be offering some 422 million shares, assuming the 25 percentage number is accurate. This means Facebook could raise anywhere between $14.35 billion and $16.04 billion.

Raising the number of shares offered two days in a row is quite a bold move. It means the company is seeing very high demand and believes it can capitalize on it without hurting its prospects when it goes public. We'll know tomorrow morning if this is the case or not (see Facebook IPO demand is strong and weak (rumors)).